Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. It’s a viral disease that negatively impacts the central nervous system of humans and other animals. Rabies’ mode of transmission relies heavily on spreading through the saliva of infected animals. Rabies can affect wild and domestic animals and is usually fatal if no urgent treatment is administered.

Do Cats Have Rabies

Cats can have rabies just like any other mammal. They can contract the viral disease by getting bit by infected animals. Dogs, foxes, and raccoons are common carriers of rabies. However, through the help of vaccinations and early detection, the incidence rate of rabies in cats is relatively low. 

But the risk is still there, which is why keeping your cat safe indoors is a very good way to avoid deadly diseases.

How Do Cats Have Rabies

Cats can get rabies when they get bitten by animals who have rabies. The virus is active in the infected animal’s saliva, and when it bites your cat, it can easily enter its body. An infected animal’s saliva can also cause rabies when it comes into contact with broken skin, open wounds, and mucous membranes. 

Once your cat gets infected, the virus starts to enter and travel through the nerves of its brain, causing substantial damage to the central nervous system before spreading to the other parts of your cat’s body.

Symptoms of Rabies in Cats

Symptoms may start to manifest in your cat, given a period of incubation. General symptoms of rabies in cats can include changes in behavior, increased aggression, excessive drooling and foaming, loss of appetite, increased irritability, and loss of muscle control. 

These symptoms indicate the start of rabies infection in cats, and urgent treatment must immediately be done in order to treat the cat before any further destruction is done. 

The usual progression of rabies in cats involves three important stages, which are distinct in each way. These stages showcase different behavioral and health changes that make it clear that the virus has run its course. 

1. Prodromal Stage

This is the first stage of a rabies infection, and it usually lasts for about 1 to 3 days. The prodromal stage can be observed when cats exhibit small and subtle changes in their behavior and personality. Some noticeable changes include cats becoming more nervous, withdrawn, and agitated, depending on your cat’s normal behavior. 

The changes usually consist of a contradiction to your cat’s usual self. For example, if it is usually introverted, it becomes aggressive and a bit wild when infected with rabies.

There may also be other changes to your cat, such as a loss of appetite, an increased irritation to simple things, and fevers. Your cat may also frequently lick the area of the bite, and this is where you can determine if your cat has rabies.

2. Furious Stage

The second stage is considered the climax of the entire chain of symptoms. The main takeaway from this stage is that your cat may manifest extreme and clear changes in its behavior. The furious stage is also known as the “mad dog” stage due to the extreme aggression cats possess when infected. 

Cats in the second stage become recognizably more aggressive and irritable. Their now vicious self is accompanied by an increased manner of drooling that endangers humans and other animals present. They have difficulty controlling their actions and have a hard time swallowing. 

The aggression becomes so extreme that the cat immediately initiates fights just from the mere presence of a small sound. Cats dealing with the second stage can attack viciously, just like a mad dog. Extreme measures and constant checkups are required to keep your cat in check to prevent any further damage to you and others.

3. Paralytic Stage

In the final stage of the symptoms, the cat will get progressively weaker until it gets paralyzed. At this time, the virus has successfully altered the brain and is continuing to spread across different parts of the cat’s body. 

Paralysis is often observable in areas such as the throat and jaw muscles, thus making it even more difficult for cats to swallow. 

Cats in this stage experience lose a significant amount of muscle control, which can be seen in the weakness of the cat and its inability to move freely. As more of the cat’s body becomes paralyzed, more bodily functions like breathing are halted until it eventually dies.

Diagnosing Rabies in Cats

The symptoms of rabies start to be subtle at first, which confuses it with other diseases. This makes diagnosing rabies quite difficult. If a rabies infection is suspected, it is crucial to get your cat checked out right away. 

However, rabies is not easily detected until it approaches a critical state. This is why it’s especially difficult to treat and diagnose rabies.

Veterinarian Examination

The first step would consist of an examination. The veterinarian will check the cat’s vaccination history and search for the presence of bite wounds. Unfortunately, since the virus affects the brain, there is no clear physical way of telling if your cat has rabies. 

Your veterinarian will most likely advise you to isolate your cat to protect other people and animals from it. Observing it is the only thing you can do to determine if your cat has the viral disease.

Accurate diagnosis of rabies can only be performed once your cat dies. Soft tissue samples from the cat’s brain are extracted and examined for any trace of the rabies virus. This is the only known way to accurately determine the presence of rabies.

Treating Rabies in Cats

Unfortunately, there is no definite treatment that can save your cat from this deadly virus. Although some measures are taken to help bolster your cat’s defenses, there are only a handful of things your veterinarian can do. 

The main medication would include a post-bite vaccination that would be most effective when the cat has had an anti-rabies vaccination in the past. While this has been proven to work in some cases, it is not a reliable solution to the disease. This is coupled with a few boosters and quarantine to keep your cat in your veterinarian’s eye.

Keep note that treatment works best when the virus has not yet fully manifested in the body. This is why it is important to seek immediate care upon noticing bites, scratches, or changes in your cat and its body before fatal symptoms start manifesting. 

Euthanasia

The last resort would be to perform cat euthanasia for those cats who have an inexisting vaccination status with likely exposure to rabies infection. This process involves allowing your veterinarian to peacefully put down your cat to prevent any further danger to you and the community. 

Preventing Rabies in Cats

Prevention techniques are crucial for ensuring the safety of your cat. It is much better to be prepared than to let your cat experience the pain of having to deal with rabies. Preventing rabies is simple and only requires dedication and responsibility to fulfill these obligations. 

Regular Vaccination

Rabies vaccination is the most effective way to prevent your cats from rabies. Rabies vaccinations are a significant part of your cat’s routine care, and they can start as early as twelve weeks of age.

This is followed up by a booster a year after the first dose. Regular vaccinations should be followed every one to three years after the booster to ensure the efficiency of the vaccine. 

Due to the severity of rabies and minimal sources of treatment, it is required by law to vaccinate your cats. This is to minimize the cases brought about by the viral disease and prevent any further complications before it is too late.

Indoor Protection

Keeping your cat safe within the premises of your house limits its exposure to dangerous outdoor factors. Infected animals, diseases, cars, and hazards all exist outside the confines of your home, and a delicate thing such as your cat will have a hard time outside. 

Stray dogs and cats casually roam the outdoors, and you never really know if they have rabies. It’s better to be sure and protect your cat inside.

In the event you want to give your cat a chance to explore the great outdoors, make sure to supervise it. You can create a safe outdoor haven for your cat to play in, or you could stroll around with your cat while keeping an eye out for certain dangers. All in all, it’s your job to keep your cat safe from harm, no matter the place. 

Conclusion

While rabies in cats is not widespread, the potential for danger still exists. Rabies does not choose its next victim. It’s better to be prepared than to endanger yourself and your cat in the long run. Vaccination proves to be the most effective way to prevent your cats from rabies. 

It’s also regarded as a public service as it protects the people around the community. As a cat owner, it falls upon you to take responsibility and play your role in protecting your best friend.